The Masked Ferret's Snippets Thread

[themaskedferret]

This is the thread where The Masked Ferret will be posting snippets until they grow big enough to become a real story.

How big that is, how long that will take, I don't know. It takes so much effort to write, even when I want to, so no promises.

Also, first post here on QQ. Sorry if I do it wrong. If you can't get to the links, please let me know.

Story Snippets
Entropy Weaver 001 002 003 004

 

[themaskedferret]

I discovered the Celestial Forge and related concepts this year, you can blame @sinereal for it with his fictions, and I have been wanting to write one ever since. Being me, I can't do it the easy way either, which is something like "pick the Celestial Forge v3 and write a story just using that". No, I'm complicated. So, I decided to create a "Celestial Core", which is all about additions and improvements to the MC's Personal Reality and their Personal Selves (well, I will get around to adding the second part). I then decided to roll if the Perks came from the Celestial Forge v3, the Celestial Grimore, the Celestial Dojo, the Celestial Menagerie, Celestial Companions, and my Celestial Core.

The MC is a self-insert with my personal brand of trauma dumping (it is not really to the level of Trauma, but my feelings are really raw right now, and that is coming out in my writing, and what else do you call that but trauma dumping?)

I have been looking for what setting to write the fanfiction in, one that I can shove myself into and write about. I thought about Worm, but that is a bit overdone, and I don't think I could survive it. So, on my desktop is the icon for City of Heroes, and I enjoyed that back in the day, so why not write in that setting?

So, thus came along this City of Heroes Fan Fiction: Self-insert; trauma dump; Celestial Forge v3, the Celestial Grimore, the Celestial Dojo, the Celestial Menagerie, Celestial Companions, and my Celestial Core mashup.

And I'm actually writing it and not getting as distracted reading Celestial Forge or Jumpchain stories, which is exciting for me.

I rolled randomly for the MC's CoH origin (magic) and powerset (controller), and I ended up with a concept I eventually called the "Entropy Weaver", which is Illusion Control + Radiation Control. It's all about distracting with illusions, then burning them with radiation.

This, somehow, ended up in a dynamic where the MC has 2 "Grimoires" in his head - the "Expanded Celestial Grimore" and the "Entropy Weaver Grimore" (which contains the CoH based powers) - and these two Grimoires are now in some sort of competition in the MCs head and life. As part of the MCs' initial induction, the MC was granted the Cosmic Warehouse and its Access Key, plus 1000 cp and 5 free rolls.

I will be adding posts for his Extended Celestial Grimore Perks and his City of Heroes Powers.

 

[themaskedferret]

Initial Perks from the Extended Celestial Grimore

1. Cosmic Warehouse(Standard Jumpchain/Celestial Forge) (0 cp)
   • Cosmic Warehouse: You have access to a personal dimension using an access key. Any items or other things that you receive as a perk is delivered to this warehouse in a locker or other storage medium.
   • Access Key: You receive a personal, fiat-backed key. It cannot be stolen, lost, or duplicated, and it will only ever unlock a door for you.
   • Access Rules: You insert the key into any door (or door-like opening) to connect it to your Personal Dimension. The real-world door must remain open for you to keep the portal active; closing the door severs the link safely.
   • Dimensional Protection: Your personal dimension has fiat-backed protection, and no one other than you can access it in any way except through the door. Your Personal Dimension cannot be truly destroyed. In case something
   • Base Dimensions: Exactly a 5 meter x 5 meter x 5 meter (125 \text{ m}^3) Euclidean white cube.
   • Environmental Control: It features basic, self-sustaining lighting and temperature controls, but is completely empty by default.
   • Add-Ons: Any additional spaces that you gain access to can be accessed from this room by a door. They do not combine combine or connect to one another
2. Beloved of Gaia(Source: Tsukihime) (100 CP)
   • Beloved: You share a deep, fundamental connection with the world itself. The planet actively favors you, lending you ambient magical energy, subtly stabilizing your environment, and ensuring that nature works in harmony with your magical endeavors.
3. Extensive Environmental Controls (Requires Cosmic Warehouse, Standard Jumpchain/Celestial Forge) (200 cp)
   • Indoor: Customizable and self-sustaining lighting, humidity, and temperature controls on any indoor space in your Cosmic Warehouse.
   • Outdoor: You can customize the atmosphere, day/night cycles, and weather cycles of any outdoor space attached to your Cosmic Warehouse, unless it has its own specific atmosphere and weather.
4. Eye of the Storm (Source: Fate/Stay Night) (200 CP)
   Effect: In the absolute chaos of a melee, your mind processes information with perfect clarity. The louder, faster, and more dangerous the battlefield becomes, the more time seems to slow down for you. You gain a flawless internal radar for incoming attacks outside your line of sight, allowing you to fluidly redirect an enemy's momentum into their own allies while conserving your own energy.
5. Gas Main (Requires Cosmic Warehouse, TMFS Forge) (100 cp)
   • Natural Gas: Your personal reality now has a source of natural gas, which provides an endless amount of natural gas.
   • Connections: Any other space in your Personal Reality that needs a natural gas is automatically connected to this system.
6. Shadow Monarch's Shadow(Source: Solo Leveling, Celestial Grimore) (400 cp)
   • Personal Shadow Realm: You gain the unique ability to manipulate shadow-matter to construct a safe, personal pocket dimension—a personal shadow realm. You can use this space to store inanimate gear, treasure, or items in absolute stasis. Furthermore, you can submerge yourself into any shadow within your line of sight, travel through the dark space instantly, and emerge out of another shadow miles away. It provides you with uncatchable mobility and a perfect, invisible inventory.
   • Cosmic Warehouse: This Shadow Realm expands your Cosmic Warehouse or Persoal Reality with a 5 meter x 5 meter x 5 meter (125 \text{ m}^3) Euclidean cube of shadow, Other perks that can change the lighting of an area cannot change the light level in this area..

 

[themaskedferret]

Magical Controller

1. Apprentice Charm (Ranged Minor DMG(Energy), Foe -Res)
   Effect: You have learned a simple magic spell: the Apprentice Charm. This cantrip has a very short range, and deals minor Energy damage to your target, as well as lowering their resistance to further damage. This power receives a damage bonus that decreases after you reach level 10. At around level 17 you stop benefiting from this power's damage bonus altogether. Damage: Minor
2. Containment (Critical Damage and Pet Control)
   Effect: Controllers are the masters at locking down and controlling their opponents. Few can escape their will. Controllers do extra damage to any target that is already Held, Immobilized, Slept, or Disoriented. This control mastery extends to their capstone pets, allowing them to command their behavior as well as enabling them a 33% chance to inflict containment damage.

Inherent

1. Brawl ( Melee, Minor DMG(Smashing), Fighting Synergy)
   Effect: When all else fails, you have only your two fists to depend on, and will cause smashing damage to your target. Brawl also features a synergy with the Fighting pool. If you have trained Boxing or Kick, Brawl will also reduce the target's attack speed and chance to hit. The strength of this effect increases if both Boxing and Kick are owned. If you have trained Cross Punch, Brawl will also reduce the target's regeneration and recovery.
   Damage: Minor.
   Recharge: Very Fast.
2. Costume Change (Toggle: Clothing)
   Effect: You have a costume that you can toggle on and off at will. It will replace whatever you are wearing with a costume that cannot be damaged and that cleans itself.
3. Health (Auto: Self +Regeneration, Res(Sleep))
   Effect: You heal slightly faster than a normal person. Your improved Health also grants you resistance to Sleep. This ability is always on and does not cost any Endurance.
4. Hurdle (Auto: Self +Leap)
   Effect: You can naturally jump higher than normal. This ability is always on and does not cost any Endurance.
5. Power Slide (Boost Run SPD)
   Effect: Forms a frictionless field of energy beneath the user that allows rapid transit while remaining close to the ground.
6. Stamina (Auto: Self +Recovery)
   Effect: You recover Endurance slightly more quickly than normal. This ability is always on and does not cost any Endurance.
7. Rest (Self Heal Recover, -DEF)
   Activate Rest to heal Hit Points and recover Endurance. While Resting you cannot attack, and you are extremely vulnerable to attack and damage. Activation of Rest can be interrupted, and the power must be active for a few seconds before you start to recuperate.
   Notes: This power can be used while flying, but will make you fall to the ground.
8. Swift (Auto: Self +Speed)
   Effect: You can naturally run slightly faster than normal. This ability is always on and does not cost any Endurance.

Travel

1. Athletic Run (Toggle: Self +Run Speed, +Jump)
   Effect: Show off your extensive athletic training by using this power. This power is not as fast as Super Speed, nor will it allow you to jump as well as Super Leap, however it is considerably better than the Fitness powers Swift and Hurdle.
   Athletic Run can be active at the same time as other running and jumping toggles, but only the strongest run speed buff and strongest jumping buff will apply.
   Note that Athletic Run is unaffected by Endurance Discount changes
2. Sprint (Boost Run SPD)
   Effect: Sprint allows you to travel, or run away, slightly faster than normal, while slightly draining your Endurance.
   Sprint's movement buff stacks with other travel powers.

Illusion Control

1. Spectral Wounds (Ranged, DMG(Psionic/Special), +Special)
   Effect: Spectral Wounds convinces the target that they have taken severe damage. The illusion is so convincing that the victim can fall from the Spectral Wounds. However, the damage is not real, and if the victim survives long enough, the illusion will fade and some of the wounds will heal.
2. Blind (Ranged (Targeted AoE), DMG(Psionic), Foe Hold/Sleep, Security Level 2)
   Effect: Painfully Blinds a single targeted foe so severely that they are rendered helpless. Blind is so bright that additional foes may also be blinded, though they will not take any damage, and attacking them will free them from the effects.

Radiant Emission

1. Radiant Aura (Ranged, DMG(Psionic/Special), +Special) (400 CP)
   Effect: You can use Radiant Aura to heal some of your wounds, and the wounds of your group. This power has a small radius, so your allies need to be near you if they wish to be affected.

 

[themaskedferret]

It has been a long three months. The project that I have been working on for almost two years has hit the implementation phase... it should have been in place in January, but we kept finding blockers and it is now July. At least my team mates are helping me now. I had been asking for assistance for months, but until the Vice President stepped in and asked why the delay happened they really did not seem interested in helping. Once he asked that question, though, man they jumped on the project. Two more weeks to see this done. Then I can spend more time with the family.

I warned my family that I would have to work more until this project was done. The first month, my wife even explained it to my son. However, after the first month, my wife decided that I was not spending enough time with her. That I wanted to do other things than spend time with her. That she was not a priority. Now this is something that has been happening for a long time. And I keep making changes to what I do to try and answer her requests. But I never do enough, and I never keep my changes, according to her, so everything went to heck in our relationship a month ago.

I bend over backwards to support her in everything I can. If she asks me, I try to do it. But lately it feels like that has not been enough. So much so that she stopped talking to me. Again. And I am supposed to talk to her and ask her what is wrong and how I can fix it. But, see, I am stubborn. so she started playing relationship reverse-chicken. To see me back down. And I even tried it, but she just felt like it wasn't worth telling me what was wrong. So, I stopped asking every day. I moved away one day at a time that she rejected me. And that pushes her away, so...

I was in a bad place before I met and married my wife. My sisters and brother would stop by my place occasionally because they were concerned that I would commit suicide. They never said it that way, until I heard if from my brother-in-law much later. Then I got married, and my life was much better. But then we had the kid, and then there was the coronavirus, I had to change jobs to one in Downtown Atlanta, and then we moved back to my home town, away from my friends. Yes it is nearer to my family, but I didn't do that for me. I did that for my kid and wife. For me, it just... added commute time.

Where we are now is she isn't talking to me unless she has to, and I am trying to talk to her some, but she barely answers. She also decided she does not want me to touch her, nor help her, nor do anything for her. So, I'm holding on, but... I'm not in a good place. I'm here is my answer if anyone asks how I am doing. I don't even enjoy running or playing table top rpgs right now. I disassociate by reading fanfiction these days to cope. Fanfiction is generally free, so that long-running fight to kill off my debt has actually been working better this year. Because we have both reduced our standard of living.

Anyways, that put me back to where I was before being married mentally, not healthy at all. So, I found my way to the Celestial Forge and related fanfictions, and I have been reading the heck out of them. I was, in fact, reading one by Psylentfox when I... well, my eyes closed and my head hit the computer, and I don't remember much after that.

When I resumed consciousness, or whatever state I ended up being in, I looked up. I was seated on one side of a desk in a room that can best be described as "standard American corporate decoration schlock". The furniture was all made from formica, except the desk, which was some sort of reddish wood and had an ancient computer on it. The most interesting thing in the room, and the scariest, was the person across the desk from me, sitting there like he owned the place. Roger Horton, Roger fucking Horton from Honest Ads.

Now, that probably doesn't sound that scary. A youtuber who makes fun of advertisements? How scary can they be? Well, this guy takes the ads that already are designed to manipulate you into buying stuff that you don't want or need, then he comes along and twists them so that they make you laugh. but you still end up with the same desire to buy the damn things anyway.

"Hi, I'm Roger. Roger Horton." the bastard introduced himself, not giving me time to even arrange my thoughts. "And I'm here to talk about the afterlife. Most people are concerned about what may happen after they die, but you already know. How do you know? Because you are here. Horton Reincarnations, where we offer those that die before their time, or who we think would be entertaining to watch after they die, the chance to take on a new life in a new setting. Now, let me see what you have... hmmm.. you have been hitting the fanfiction too much, especially the spicy stuff."

I was immediately offended at his statement. I would never...

He continued. "You've also been concentrating on Celestial Forge stories, or similar ones, recently. Gone past your Yujo Senki fanfiction phase..." he pauses dramatically, then gives you that thousand-watt smile that says you've done screwed up. "It will be fine. You even have a sponsor for the afterlife! They made all the arrangements that you need. No need to sign or agree to anything. You get to go to the world of an mmo that was killed off by its parent company because it was too expensive to operate! Your sponsor, ROB, also said that I am supposed to give you this book."

Then Roger pulled out an eerily glowing book with an sickly green, glowing spider on the front, with stars in a pattern across the cover which are worked into the background. He shoved the book into my hands, and I couldn't let it go. "That is the key to your new world! Also, you have been granted an extra special mix of the Celestial Forge, Celestial Companion, Celestial Dojo, Celestial Grimore, and Celestial Menagerie systems, including some author's own special Celestial Core system. It even comes with the full 1,000 starting credits!"

He looked at me again and winked. "I've been Roger, and this has been your Honest Afterlife. Enjoy the trip!"

Then I lost consciousness and fell through something.

 

[themaskedferret]

Assuredly, I said unto you... waking up crumpled on concrete is no fun. Waking up in the middle of a city being invaded by aliens is bad too. Waking up with a fracking headache as some sort of sadistic, forbidden, glowing cosmic grimoire burns its way into my mind is not great either. All three at one time... let me tell you, I was in pain. Once it installed itself into my mind, the Grimoire shoved a bunch of information into my mind.

The Grimoire was called "The Entropy Weaver", and it granted me the power to manifest the chaotic, decaying energies of the dying stars. Warp the senses of your enemies, make them live through their worst nightmares, and then kill them with radiation. This was such a happy circumstance! Now I had power, perfect for killing people, and I wanted to be a hero. And not kill people. Funny how that works. Fucking Roger.

I guess the good side is that I have powers now! As expected, however, when I look up from the pavement the city... whatever city I am in, looks how my life feels right now. And it is probably my fault. Busted up cars, shattered buildings, a chasm rending the street, and multicolored, rock like aliens blasting at everything. And a big guy with giant gauntlets smashing the aliens to pieces.

I stand up, and find myself wearing a nice suit, black in color, a top hat, a faintly glowing green vest, and a red cravat... who wears a cravat? After I stood up, I am assaulted the data about my powers from the Entropy Weaver Grimore. In addition to some Inherent powers that seem to give me a low level Brute rating - something at or above standard human maximum, and this costume of incredible tastefulness - I find that I have been gifted in the magical field of Control. All powers that I have do more damage to people that are restrained in some way, as well as a basic energy blast cantrip.

I can also use Illusions to make people think that they are injured so badly that they end up injuring themselves. On the other end of the Spectrum, I can use radiant light to heal people. A real mixed bag, probably great for parties. But I am solo right now.

As son as that headache goes away, I get a series of prompts and headaches. This one is caused by yet another system I somehow picked up, a Celestial Grimoire that also unfolds in my mind. As it opens up and explains itself to me.

Welcome to the Expanded Celestial Grimore! In addition to the standard Celestial Grimore content, your ROB has decided to include perks from the Celestial Core, the Celestial Dojo, the Celestial Forge, and the Celestial Menagerie. Not quite as many options as a Chaos Gatcha, but it should prove interesting. As part of your initial induction, you were granted the Cosmic Warehouse and its Access Key, plus 1000 cp and 5 free rolls. As you did not opt out of any of the choices, all 1000 cp of your initial grant was spent across all five rolls.

1. Blessed of Gaia (100 cp)- The planet empowers your magic
2. Extensive Environmental Controls (200 cp) - an upgrade for your Cosmic Warehouse that allows for much finer grained control of the environment inside
3. Eye of the Storm (200 cp) - Allows you to perceive and respond faster in combat
4. Gas Main (100 cp)- Provides your Personal Reality unlimited natural gas
5. Shadow Monarch's Shadow (400 cp) - A personal shadow realm you can travel through and allows for storage of inanimate objects.

So, this Expanded Celestial Grimore really wants me to have my own personal realm. A Cosmic Warehouse, Extensive Environmental Controls, a supply of Natural Gas, and then an expansion that doubles the size but everything inside is in shadows and in stasis? Yeah, my personal realm is really important - I'm in the middle of an alien invasion!

I get another strange feeling, as if the pages of a Celestial Grimore are turning, and it opened to the Ikea section.

Starting CP 0
+100 CP
Roll: Celestial Core, Personal Reality Infrastructure, Simple Bathroom (25 cp)
Buy - Pass - Hold

Ok, Ok, another Personal Reality Improvement. But, who wouldn't want a bathroom in their personal realm? And it is only 25 cp? Buy, please.

Simple Bathroom (25 cp) Bought.
75 cp remaining.

So, now what to do? Well, I suppose that the rocky alien creature that is approaching me might need to be dealt with. Ouch! It blasted me with fire! Let us see how well these spectral wounds work on rock aliens. Spectral Wounds!

Well, that worked. It turns out that rock monsters from space can believe that they are wounded so hard that they fall apart. I am a super hero now! With my super leaping powers, I will jump this gap!

splash.

Well, that did not work so well. I climb out of the chasm on the other side, dripping wet. A Police Officer yells at me approach a hero named the Blue Spectrum, who can get me out of this mess. The man with the Giant Metal Fists is called Back Alley Brawler, and there is a lady in green blasting people with what look like psychic powers who is called ... Sister Psyche. Some of this seems familiar. Some game I have played or comic I read? Not immediately sure.

I proceed down the cracked road in the direction I was pointed, looking for a Blue Spectrum. I proceed to destroy the minds of yet more rock aliens. As I move along, I feel power charging inside myself! What a rush! And then the glowy-green grimoire in my head says that I leveled up! But, I need to go see a trainer such as Ms. Liberty to advance. Ok, so some sort of MMO or RPG world? Oh, there is a column of blue light, and a figure that seems to have collapsed below it. Probably the Blue Spectrum.

Starting CP 75
+100 CP
Roll: Celestial Companion, Universe: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, & Space Opera, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy (200 cp - Cannot Currently Afford)
Buy - Pass - Hold

Ok, ok, so I can get Companions, too? And a alien tech lady and hacker! Ok, I don't know where I am or who I can trust, but this Celestial Grimore says that she can be trusted. Hold, please.

I should be able to afford her on the next roll that I get. Now for the Blue Spectrum.

 

[themaskedferret]

I blast a couple of more Shivan minds... that is what those people in the red and white spandex keep calling the rock aliens, at least. Shivans.

I approach the Blue Spectrum, who has a surprising amount of red in his costume. He used up most of his power fighting the Shivans, ad he asks me for a bit of my magical might so that he can stand again to fight the aliens. As I look at him, I can see that he is vulnerable. I could easily strike his mind and steal what is left of his powers, taking them for my own.

But I am a hero, not a villain, so I agree and channel my power into him. He absorbs it, and I feel weaker. My son would approve. Back home. A home where I am no longer. It paralyzes me for a bit, I am here in this broken city and my family is still back home. Even if being around them hurt, I still miss them.

Blue Spectrum moves on, going back to help the Longbow, which is what he called the soldiers in red and white spandex. These names sound so familiar. Longbow, Back Alley Brawler, Ms. Liberty... I'll remember soon enough. He tells me as he as he leaves that I need to push through the city and I would find a way to escape. One of the Longbow hands me a smartphone, says it is an official herophone or something like that.

I continue on through the city, hoping to find a safe exit. I continue walking along the same road, avoiding the cracks and gaps, following Blue Spectrum's questionable directions. The phone rings, un expectedly. I answer it, and a video call opens up.

"Greetings, hero. This is Numina of the Freedom Phalanx. I am calling from Atlas Park. Thank you for helping Blue Spectrum. I would ask for more information about you, as our database doesn't have anything on you, but you don't have time for that. Galaxy City is Lost! You need to get out of there! We can teleport you out if you destroy whatever is jamming our signal up ahead".

City of Heroes. I somehow ended up in City of Heroes, and I decided to be a hero. I wish I remember much about the game - I played it decades ago with a bunch of friends, but after the game was canceled, we all stopped playing. I mostly remember having a fun time, and that Sonic blasters are really loud. Ok, I can handle this.

I reply "All right, I'll go look for a jammer or device of some type. Entropy Weaver, out." I don't have a personal cape name, but the name of this grimoire that granted my powers seems very fitting, and the grimoire seems very happy about that too.

"All right, Entropy Weaver. We will get you out of there. Numina, out."

So, I go forward, looking for something that might be a jammer. I walk down the street about a block, passing several smashed cars, Ahead of me is what looks to be a hole in the ground, which is blocked by some sort of robot and a lady in a skirt suit with a pink shirt. As I approach, I get a prompt from the Entropy Weaver Grimoire that I should talk to the robot. I approach it slowly.

"Greetings, Hero Entropy Weaver. What is your purpose for approaching?" it asks as I approach.

"I hear that you offer... training?" I ask, not entirely sure why a 15 foot tall robot cyclops would offer that.

"This PPD Emergency Defense Guardian can authorize an increase your Security Level if you meet the requirements. Would you like to proceed with an evaluation to increase your Security Level?" The robot replies in a cliched, robotic manner.

I reply, nodding as I say, "yes, please" a bit reluctantly.

The Guardian pauses for a few seconds, evaluating me. "Guardian humor protocols are disengaged due to the seriousness of the current incident. Evaluating Hero... tentative identification Entropy Weaver... for Security Level 2. Home location... none identified. Background... unknown, no known ties to any villains or villain groups. Known Actions: Defeating Shivans in defense of Galaxy City, rescuing Blue Spectrum. Evaluating... brevet Security Level 2 approved, confirmation pending complete registration with the Freedom Phalanx. Showing possible advancements..." The guardian projects a hologram in front of me, showing me options.

I see these options reflected in my Entropy Grimoire in my mind. I can choose one from Illusion: Blind, Illusion: Deceive, and Radiation: Radiation Infection. Illusion: Blind painfully blinds a single target foe so that they are rendered helpless. Illusion: Deceive can make an enemy attack their own allies. Radiation: Radiation Infection debuffs an enemy and those around them.

While they are all good, what I need right now is a second attack. I think Blind is the closest to that, so I pick Blind. The Entropy Weaver Grimoire takes the information from the Guardian and converts it to a spell diagram and description and then shoves that information in my head. I get a headache, and the knowledge of an illusion that blinds people.

"Are you ok, Hero Entropy Weaver?" Th Guardian asks. When I nod, still wincing., the Guardian produces a jetpack and hands it to me. "As there was a requisition request filed for you, you have been granted a LKT-1700 Rocket Pack. Please be aware that there is only 30 minutes worth of flight time with the onboard fuel. Due to emergency response regulations, you have been granted a temporary Jet Pack Operational Permit. Please pursue the appropriate training and licensing with the Freedom Phalanx once you have reached Atlas Park." The Guardian then winks at me by blinking the light in his vizor. "Temporary Jet Pack Operational Permit expiration set to... one year from now. Thank you for your service."

The robot then starts looking past me, and blasts a shivan coming up from behind me. The lady on the other side gestures to me to approach her, so I do. "Greetings, Weaver. I'm Lacie Johnson, a S.T.A.R.T. Relief Coordinator. I'm here to coordinate relief efforts. We have been evaluating your powers, and as an individual of a heroic bent, we can give you some things to help. They still cost the same as usual." She pulled out a tablet and handed it to me. "Here is our inventory. Let me know what you want. I will send an app to your phone so that you can see what we have in stock remotely."

As she hands me the tablet, there is a strange magnet or amulet that is attached to the back. When I touch it, my Entropy Grimoire absorbs it and slots it into my Spectral Wounds power, sending a rush of psychic energy through my system. In my Entropy Grimoire, my Spectral Wounds spell is now empowered by the Will of The Seers, which shows up as an eye with the letter "I" behind it.

The Celestial Grimoire, not to be out done, responds at the same time.

Starting CP 175
+100 CP
Held Perk: Celestial Companion, Universe: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, & Space Opera, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy (200 cp) Purchased
Companion can be summoned to you, will be permanent once summoned.
75 cp Remaining

I can get Tali to help me deal with this jammer situation!

 

[themaskedferret]

Starting CP 175
+100 CP
Held Perk: Celestial Companion, Universe: Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, & Space Opera, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy (200 cp) Purchased
Companion can be summoned to you, will be permanent once summoned.
75 cp Remaining

I can get Tali to help me deal with this jammer situation! Well, I shouldn't do that in front of the PPD Emergency Defense Guardian robot, nor the friendly START Coordinator Lacie Johnson. Summoning people is definitely something private. I enter the tunnel behind them, determined to find the jammer. As I am going through the tunnel, I find what looks to have been the body of another hero of the magical persuasion. I think that because most of their body is crushed by rubble, but they pushed a tome of sort outside of the falling rocks, preserving the tome.

I pick up the time and begin looking at it. I can feel the magic in the tome. Unexpectedly, the Entropy Weaver Grimoire in my mind activates and absorbs the tome. I stagger as I get yet another blinding headache. After some recovery, I focus my mind to look at the Entropy Grimoire. As I look at it, another section has been added, named The Dark Tome of the Fae. Great, Fae. That is going to make my life so much better. The pages in my mental grimoire flip and I comprehend the absorbed abilities. First, I can summon a Blackwand to blast a singe target with negative energy. Second, I can summon a nemisis staff to shoot steam and knock a target away. Third, well, the pages flip and a summoning circle appears on the ground near me.

A foot-tall fae with horns, obviously dark in nature, is summoned. She gives me an unhappy look. "I don't know you, I don't know how you summoned me. You aren't worth to know my name yet. However, per the contract of the summoning I will cast protective magic on you." Great, a snarky dark Tinkerbell is here to help and insult me.

But that reminds me, I look around. No one in sight. I reach for my perks and focus on summoning Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. She appears and looks around. "Well, contractor, I am Tali. Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, but you probably know that already. What happened here?"

I look grim "Alien invasion. Some energy and rock aliens they call the Shivans. This town y has been declared lost. There is a jammer blocking the Longbow teleporters that can get us out of here. Take this phone and see if you can copy the settings and information and get yourself registered for the teleport."

She nods. "Extraction first, then we talk about where we are and what is happening. No need to stay around hostile aliens." She interfaces with the herophone for a few minutes. "Ok, I was able to emulate the phone on my Omnitool and register myself in a similar way as you. I also took the time to update your phone and remove a few backdoors and trackers."

I nod in response. "Ok, Lets go find that jammer Once we find it, you can disable the device while I protect you."

Tali nods and pulls out her pistol. We proceed down the tunnel, which opens onto another street with about 15 Shivans. Tali says "I can detect it, but we will need to remove whatever is distorting the signal, probably the Shivans."

I smile. "Lets obliterate them."

With all the powers I now have, it felt easy. Spectral Wounds ripped their minds apart. Blind blinds them. The Blackwand rotted them from within. The Nemesis Staff smashed them apart. And Tali scanned each creature then destroys it with a single shot. "Locate the vulnerable spots and shoot them. Works most of the time" She preens as I give her an impressed look. Once we dealt with the crowd, she started scanning for the jamming device. "The jamming is coming from underground!"

Then the jamming device reveals itself, by erupting from beneath the street. I think "that is an impressive jamming device" as a 30 foot tall giant shivan reveals itself. "This one is going to be a tad bit more challenging."

"You think?" Tali yells, unnecessarily.

"More shooting, less yelling!" I say, gathering as much magic as I can and throwing it at the giant. We started to wear it down. My Spectral Wounds spell hurts it! Tali's pistol damages it! The Longbow bombs it. The fight is going great! Until the shivan giant summons meteors to smash us. Meteors, in a city. That is the opposite of a fair fight. I dodge, Tali dodges, the Meteors miss. Blast away with my magic. Rinse and repeat until done, because the Giant Shivan is as dumb as a box of rocks.

Once the rock alien goes down, Tali says "The jamming is down!" and we teleport to the Longbow Evac Zone. Back Ally Brawler, the guy with the power fists, gestures for us to approach. Tali and I walk over to him. "Yes sir?" I say, as he is a well known hero and deserves respect. Also, he is the size of a shed and made of muscle. Definitely deserves respect.

Brawler speaks to me "Galaxy City is an absolute mess, Entropy Weaver. The Shivans, they seem to be getting more powerful by the minute. Unfortunately, it seems like Atlas Park is having a ton of problems of its own. The rest of us will do what we can to stabilize the the situation here. You and Tali there need to go help the people of Atlas Park!"

I look at Tali, and she nods in response to me. I look back at Back Alley Brawler. "We will look after Atlas Park. Keep up the good work here."

Brawler gestures at the helicopter behind him. "Get on the helicopter, it will take you to Atlas Park and drop you off near the Paragon City Hall. You will be contacted on your herophones with what you need to do next in Atlas Park."

Tali and I both nod, then we board the helicopter. I haven't even been in this world for four hours and it has already been crazy! As we fly towards Atlas Park, the Celestial Grimoire decides to roll a perk again.

Starting CP 175
+100 CP
Rolled Perk: Celestial Menagerie, Classification: Mythological & Divine Beasts, Geryon (The Shadow-Winged Manticore) (400 cp)
Buy - Pass - Hold

Do I want a giant, demonic manticore as a mount or guardian? Well, if I were in another place, Geyron would be a viable choice, but with all of the crap going on with the Fallen and the other strange things, I think The Shadow-Winged Manticore would be attacked in self-defense regularly, so I Pass. Maybe I will get something better on my next roll.

275 cp Remaining